Salivary glands: practice question

A ENT question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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ENT · Salivary glands

Sample item

Which cranial nerve injury may occur during parotid surgery?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Facial nerve

The facial nerve branches through the parotid gland, so parotid surgery requires meticulous nerve identification to preserve facial movement.

Option by option

  • A. Facial nerve (correct)

    Correct: facial nerve traverses the parotid gland.

  • B. Optic nerve

    Optic nerve lies within the orbit and cranial cavity.

  • C. Accessory nerve

    Accessory nerve crosses posterior triangle of neck.

  • D. Hypoglossal nerve

    Hypoglossal nerve lies deep in the upper neck.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is A, Facial nerve. The facial nerve branches through the parotid gland, so parotid surgery requires meticulous nerve identification to preserve facial movement.

Why is "Optic nerve" not the answer?

Optic nerve lies within the orbit and cranial cavity.

Why is "Accessory nerve" not the answer?

Accessory nerve crosses posterior triangle of neck.

Why is "Hypoglossal nerve" not the answer?

Hypoglossal nerve lies deep in the upper neck.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Salivary glands in ENT. The correct option holds because: Correct: facial nerve traverses the parotid gland.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Salivary glands?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.